Effect of Immersion Temperature on The Short-term Water Uptake of Lignocellulosic Fillers - HDPE Composites

In this study, the effect of immersion temperature on the short-term water uptake behavior of lignocellulosic fillers- HDPE Composites were investigated and then compared with the wood based commercial panels. panels of wood plastic composites (WPCs) were manufactured from different lignocellulosic materials of wood sawdust, rice hull flour and sawdust of particleboard (as filler) and powder of high density polyethylene( as polymer) at 60% by weight filler loading with constant temperature and pressure using a dry blend/hot press method. The nominal density and dimensions of the panels were 1g/cm3 and 35×35×1 cm, respectively. Specimens of the panels of wood plastic composites, medium density fiberboard and particleboard were immersed in distilled water at 20, 40 and 60ºC to measuring water absorption and thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours immersion. The results showed that by increasing the immersion temperature, the water absorption and thickness swelling increased. So the water absorption and thickness swelling were affected exponentially by immersion temperature. Maximum values of water absorption and thickness swelling at various temperatures showed in particleboard and minimum values showed in HDPE/rice hull flour plastic composites.